How often should you check-in

davidrossdvc
davidrossdvc Posts: 8 Member
edited November 30 in Health and Weight Loss
How often to you check-in and report your weight? I find my weight can really fluctuate. I was sticking to once a week. But I find that one week I can lose as much as 4 pounds and then the next week when I weigh in, I have gained it all back. I am pretty religious about recording what I eat and the actual portion sizes (usually down to the gram). Sometimes I may have more salt in my foods. I know that can make you retain water, but 4 pounds of water?

I seem to be at this plateau and have been here for about 2 months. I lowered my weekly weight loss goal down and I work out more than what my goals are. I just seem to be stuck here and it is really depressing that I can't just seem to move ahead.

I am wondering if I should record weight daily.

So what do you all do and what advice do you have?

Replies

  • jaynee7283
    jaynee7283 Posts: 160 Member
    I do it once a week, but I know some who do it every day.

    Others who have been doing it longer can give you guidance on how to break a plateau - but it would help if you provide current stats and information.

    Current weight? Height? Goal weight? What exercise do you do and how many times a week? How many calories a day do you eat? Is your food diary open so people can view it and provide guidance?
  • Sherriediva1
    Sherriediva1 Posts: 345 Member
    My largest weight difference btwn 1 day and two days later has been 2.5 lbs. I'm with you on the frustration level. My assumption was that I was dehydrated on day one due to high caffeine consumption and lack of water the previous week and then I increased my water intake, did a lifting session that left me sore and had become constipated due to the previous dehydrated state. I ignored the scale for a few days and although I still feel constipated the scale is coming down again. KEEP at it and pay attention to your food diary and your body. Good luck :)
  • shadowfax_c11
    shadowfax_c11 Posts: 1,942 Member
    That is up to you. I log my weight several times a week. Basically when I see a change either up or down that lasts more than a day or two. I also use the trendweight app to see the overall trend so al of the ups and downs don 't bug me a whole lot.

    I also do measurements and those I do once a month. Often when I am not seeing my weight move much I do see a loss in inches. That helps a lot when the weight does not appear to be coming off.

    But that is just what works for me.
  • davidrossdvc
    davidrossdvc Posts: 8 Member
    I am 5' 11" and weigh 237. I try to work out 5-6 times a week but sometimes only make it 4 times. I tend to work out intensely for 30 minute intervals and I alternate between a circuit (steps and machines) and cardio (elliptical, treadmill) on different days. My MFP goal is to work out 4 times a week for 30 minutes and burn a little over 1000 calories. I find I burn more than that. I also have a Fitbit and have it set to add calories to my day. I do eat my extra calories but usually stay below or at my net calories. I have set my goal to be sedentary in MFP and to lose 1.5 pounds a week. I did pay extra for the premium version so I could look at my totals for the week like I used to do with Weight Watchers. I do log everything. I have lost a little over 30 pounds since July of last year. But I had lost those 30 pounds probably 6-8 weeks ago. I seem to fluctuate where one week I will be at 232 and then the next at 237 and then maybe 233 and then back up to 237. It is like I am stuck in this rut and can't cross over the 230 range. I had hoped to be down by 40-45 pounds at this point.

    Help! - What am I doing wrong? Can lack of sleep affect this? Sometimes I don't get enough sleep. Could my Fitbit be adding too many calories back?
  • cwolfman13
    cwolfman13 Posts: 41,865 Member
    edited March 2016
    There's no rules...do whatever you want. I track my trends more so than the actual number.
  • ghouli
    ghouli Posts: 207 Member
    I don't record my weight that often, because I don't like recording that I've lost half a pound or something. I update my weight on here after 1+ pounds usually and if the weight stays down for a couple days. That's just what I prefer to do.
  • Asher_Ethan
    Asher_Ethan Posts: 2,430 Member
    Completely up to you. I wish I could mentally handle weighing in every day, but I can't. The normal daily fluctuations mess with my mind too much. It's weekly for me
  • dr_soda
    dr_soda Posts: 57 Member
    I was happy to check in daily precisely because weight can vary so radically for various reasons. Water weight alone can alter your measurement by 5 lbs in a single day. I decided that I would find it too disheartening to measure weekly and see no change just because I accidentally weighed on a low water weight day the first time and a high water weight day the second.

    While weighing daily, the swings are more rapid, but the trends are much easier to spot.
  • LazSommer
    LazSommer Posts: 1,851 Member
    Whenever. You shouldn't have constant 4 lb fluctuations if you're that meticulous.
  • mistress8956
    mistress8956 Posts: 265 Member
    Personally I weigh daily ( unless I'm exactly the same) sometimes it's up, sometimes it's down but it helps me to see how different things effect my body
  • ashleyg82
    ashleyg82 Posts: 1 Member
    I personally weigh in every day as it keeps me focused and motivated but I only log it once a week, I think do what ever works best for you! Good luck In breaking your plateu :)
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